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I’m not a natural born exerciser. Never have been. Never will be.
I’m at my best curled up on a comfy sofa with a cookbook and cup of tea. But, I have learned to make exercise part of my life.
It’s a healthy habit I’ve had to cultivate through the years, kinda like brushing my teeth. I do it because it’s good for me. I like what it does for my body, mind and spirit.
And as a lifetime Weight Watchers member, how important it is to the success of the plan.
There are millions of reasons and excuses you can make for not exercising. I should know. I’ve used them all: “I’m too tired.” “I don’t feel good.” “I don’t have time.” “I’m too busy.” “It’s too hard.” “It’s boring.” “I don’t know how.” “I forgot my workout clothes.” “I’m too intimidated.” “I look stupid.” “I’m uncoordinated.”
You get the idea.
But the truth is that the reasons to love exercise far exceed the excuses not to do it.
I remember being shocked when I read a Wall Street Journal article about Jack LaLanne, the legendary fitness guru. In the article, LaLaanne, who was 92-years-old at the time, said that he hated working out and had always hated working out, but loved the results.
Call me crazy, but I had automatically assumed that LaLanne had built a successful business around physical fitness because he loved it. Turns out that what he really loved was the vitality that working out and eating well gave him.
So Jack Lalanne, who lived to be 96, proved that you don’t have to love exercise to do it. You just need to love and appreciate what it can do for you.
Of course, it’s a whole lot easier if you can find something physical that you love to do – a form of simple enjoyable exercise, if you will.
Our bodies are meant to move. As one of my favorite yoga teachers loves to say, “Your body loves this, but sometimes your mind gets in the way!”
If you are having trouble getting started or sticking with an exercise routine, try to focus on all the reasons to love exercise. It get’s easier once you are regularly experiencing these benefits for yourself.
6 Reasons to Love Exercise
- It helps reduce stress and clear your mind.
- You feel more energetic and alert.
- You sleep better.
- It reduces anxiety, eases depression and elevates your mood, helping you feel better. Studies have proved that you get an emotional boost and positive sense of well-being from exercise.
- It strengthens your immune system, builds stronger muscles and bones, and improves your heart heatlh.
- It helps you more easily lose weight and keep it off.
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